Teaneck Speedway, a new entertainment center, had its soft opening this month at 545 Cedar Lane in Teaneck. The family-friendly space features arcade games, bowling, laser tag and slot car racing.
Located on the bottom floor of an office building across from CVS and next door to the former Best Glatt grocery store, Teaneck Speedway has been in the works since 2019, said owner Josh Kirschenbaum. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and unexpected leasing issues meant that the gaming entrepreneur’s idea has only now begun to bear fruit.
The slot cars are the main attraction, with six large race tracks taking up most of the space. Kirschenbaum assembled the vintage tracks from collectors around the country. Visitors select a model car to their liking, each about 5 inches in length, and race against friends. Although it seems simple, the game requires skillful hand-eye coordination to master. Each brightly painted track varies in difficulty, ensuring kids will be occupied for quite a while.
Speedway’s second room houses an assortment of classic video games you’d find in an ’80s arcade, from racing booths to claw machines. The whole black-lit expanse is decorated with slick graffiti on the walls, depicting pop culture icons like Pacman, famous locales like the New York City skyline, and an Instagram-worthy mural of New York and Jersey sports teams. In the center of the room are two mini-bowling lanes that are sure to be a hit.
Up the staircase in the back lies a second floor with a still-in-progress laser tag arena. Although the space is unfinished, the field looks very promising. Obstacles are sprouted up across the floor to duck and take cover with, and the entire floor is decked out in a Star Wars theme, with the movie series’ characters populating the walls, including fan favorite Baby Yoda. The neon paint gives the space a modern vibe and all-ages appeal.
Kirschenbaum told The Jewish Link that several local day camps have booked trips to Speedway already, and he anticipates more families beginning to take notice as the summer continues. As of now, hours of operation are 6 p.m. through 9 p.m. on Thursdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays, but that will change in the coming weeks. Walk-in prices are approximately $30 for a one-hour all-access swipe card, sufficient for multiple people to enjoy, though individuals can also purchase their own card with dollar values as well. More information can be found on Teaneck Speedway’s Facebook page.
Elazar Abrahams is an intern at The Jewish Link and the incoming student council president of Yeshiva University’s men’s campus.
